Corn-planting machine



(Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. H. JONES.

CORN PLANTING MACHINE.

Patented Feb. 28,1882.

(Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. H. JONES.

CORN PLANTING MAGHINE.

Patented Peb. 28,1882.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(Model.)

J. H. JONES. A

CONN PLANUNG MACHINE.

Patented Feb. 28, 1882.

N. PETERS, Phnlo-Lithagraphur, Wzlhiugion. D. C.

risometrical representation ot the lower flipper- .the seeding mechanism.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. y

JAMES HERVA JONES, OF ROOKFORD, ILLINOIS.

CORN-PLANTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,331, dated February 28, 1882.

Application filed June 20, 1881. (Model.)

chines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of planters known as power-planters, in which a team is employed to draw the machine over the ground prepared to receive the seed.

The invention consists in the improved construction hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

' In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is anl isometrical representation of a plantingmachine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is au isometrical representation of the runnerframe or forward portion of the planter. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4 is a lengthwise vertical section through the heel of the runner and drill seed-tube. Fig. 5 is also a lengthwise vertical section of heel of the runner, seedspout, and flipper-valves of the check-row mechanism. Fig. 6 is an isometrical representation ofthe working-face of the txeddisk of Fig. 7 is an isometrical representation of the working-face` lof the rotary seeding-disk. Fig. 8 is a "ertical section on dotted line x of Fig. l. Fig. 9 is an vtransverse beam C and with the forward upturned end of the runners, and the forward transverse beam, E, connectedwith the forward end portion of the oblique beams D immediately over the forward end of the ruimer- Vare substantially the same, and are joined in the same manner, producing a frame substantially the same as the frame shown and described in my application for a paient ou corn- 5o planting machines now pending before the AUnited States Patent Oice, and which said application was filed therein on or aboutMarch 17,1881. On this frame, immediately over the upper open end of-the seed-spouts, are mounted seed-boxes F, consisting mainly of the vertical outer wall, a, end walls, a', and inner side wall, a, suitably joined, producing a receptacle to contain the seed to be distributed through the spouts.

At G are represented metallic disks provided with a tapering spout-like grooved opening, b, crossing their rear face and extending beyond their periphery, which extensions are formed in an arm, b', depending from .their pcriphery. The upper wide endportions of these spout-like grooves on their upper edge portion open on their inner face, as at o, a considerable distance within their periphery, and the bases of these openin gs are concentric with the peripheries of the disks, and are beveled from their inner edge rearward, as at d, in such a manner as to form an edge on their periphery.

These disks are fixed to the inner face ofthe outer. ends, e, of the seed-boxes, having their spout-like grooved face in contact with the box end,in such position thereon that thelower portion of their spout-like openings will connect with the upper end of the inclined seedspouts leading to the open heel endof the runners. These disks are provided with a central opening, f, to receive a transverse shaft, H, fitted to revolve therein, and concentric with this central opening are fitted on their inner face with agroove, h, semicircular in crosssection, and the diameter of its inner circle is such as to rise slightly above the periphery of the base portion of the opening c.

At I are represented seed distributing wheels of disk form, loosely mounted on the transverse shaft H, onefin each seed-box, in position to engage the inner face of the fixed disks G. These wheels are provided with a central hub, t', which is slotted lengthwise to receive a pin, t', passed through the shaft, operating to cause the wheel to rotate with the shaft and still permit the wheel tohave a slight endwise movement thereon.

Atj is representedaspiral spring, surrounding the shaft within the seed-box, operating to hold the rotary seed-wheels in contact with the xed disk. This rotary seed-wheel is provided at suitable intervals with radial arms K,

projectingfromitsperipherytooverlapthesemicircular groove in the face of the fixed disk and rise above the opening c in its upper portion. These radial arms are fitted near the center ot their length with a scmicircular protection, la', designed to enter the semicircular groove in the Xed disk, and the end portions of these radial arms on each side of the projections le are of semicup form, as at 7c and c, being largest at their outer ends and diminishing as they approach the central outward projection, 7c. These semi-cups, in connection with the semicircular groove in the face of the Xed disk, form the cups employed to distribute the seed.

The seed-cups c" on one side ot' the projecting arms 7c are slightly larger than the cups k" on the opposite side thereof, and these seed-distributing wheels are made in pairs in such a manner that when placed in their respective seed-'boxes the seed-cups on the forward moving side of the wheels carrying the seed will be of the same size, either both large, as at k, or both small, as 7c, and by changing these seed-wheels to their respective opposite sides, either the large cups c" or the small cups 7c, as the case may be, will be on the forward moving side of the wheels, and will be employed in the distribution of the seed, and the dii'erent-sized cups are designed to distribute seed varying in size. These seed-cups, as will be seen, rise above the periphery of the cut-away portion of the xed disk in such a manner as to discharge the seed into the seedspouts as it is carried up in the seed-cups in the revolutions of the seed-distributing wheels. These seed-distributing wheels, as will be seen, are mounted to revolve in the seedboxes in contact with the seed therein contained.

At Z is represented a tubular seed-spout removably placed in the open seed-spout connected with the heel of the runner in such 'a manner that its upper open end connects with the seed-spout d in the fixed disk, and its lowerend portion, which isof bent-elbow form, enters the open heel portion of the runner in a vertical position. This tubular spout is held in position in the open spout by means of a sprin g-fastenin g, t which enters a hole formed in the under portion of the open spout and operates to hold the tubular spout in position in a removable manner. This tubular spout is employed only when the machine is used as a drill, and for such purposes the tube is employed in both open spouts or on both sides.

At mis represented a flipper-valve, substantially the same as the flipper-valve in my pendl ing application, hereinbet'ore referred to, and it is pivoted in the open seed-spout in the same manner by menus of a pivot, m', depending from its lower edge, entering a hole in the under side ofthe open spout, and the upper end ofiits lever-arm m engages the notch m" in the rear edge of the slide-bar K, employed to connect the ilipper-valves on the opposite sides of the machine. The upper end of the blade of the flipper-valve m engages the lower forked end ofa check-valve, n, which is pivoted in the upper portion of the open seed-spout by means of a pivot-stud, n', depending from its lower edge, and entering a hole in the underside of the open spout, substantially in the same manner as the flipper-valve m. From this connection of the valves with each other and with the slide bar it will be secn that in the movement of the slide-bar the valves will be changed from one side of the spout to the opposite side thereof, in which .movement the seed deposited on the check valve will be dropped therefrom, and will be caught on the flipper-valve in the heel of the runner, near the bottom ot the furrow formed by the runner, and in the next movement of the slidebar it will be dropped therefrom in a compact hill. These valves are designed to be used in both runners, to be operated simultaneously by the movement of the slide-bar, when the machine is used as a check-row or hill planting-machine, and, as will be seen, are made removable by withdrawing the pins or colters n", which are passed through the depending end portions ot' their pivotal studs, extending below the under portion of the open seedspouts.

From the foregoing it will be seen that both the seed-tubes and the valves are made removable, and the machine is capable of use as a drill or as a check-row or hill planter by the employment of the seed-tubes for the purposes of a dri-ll, or by the employment of the valves for the purposes of a check-row or hill plantel'.

The slide-bar K is capable of an endwise movement, to be operated by means of a handlever, L, havin-g its fulcrum-support ot xed to the inner upper portion of the seed-boxes, and-the lever L, pivoted thereon, is substantially identical with thelike lever represented in my pending application, hereinbefore referred to, and its pivotal connection and its connection with the slide-bar are in every particular the same, and I do not deem it necessary to give a more detailed description thereot' in this specification. This front or runner portion of the planteris provided with atongue or pole, M, of the usual form, having its rear end xed centrally to the rear transverse bar, and supported centrally on the front transverse bar, to which it is securely fixed.

At N is. represen ted a rear extension of the pole xed to the under side of the rear end portion of the pole M and to the under side of the rear transverse bar, from which it extends rearward, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Y

At O is represented an axle-tree of suitable dimensions, and to its end portions are fixed axle-arms 19, fitted to receive the carryingwheels P, to revolve thereon in the usual manner.

At R are represented hounds or inclined beams, having their rear portions fixed to the under side of the end portions of the axle-tree,

IOO

IIO

from which the forward end portions incline toward each other, having their forward end portions xed to the outer portions of a metallic cross-head or yoke, S. The end portions of the front edge of this yoke are produced in journal form, as at p', which enter the socketbearings p, fixed to the rear face of the rear transverse bar of the runner-frame. These socket-bearings p are of oblong form, being of a proper width horizontally to receive the journal-bearings of the yoke snugly, to prevent lateral swaying of the front or runner frame independent of the rear or wheel frame. The vertical dimensions of these socket-hearin gs are of slot-like form, of sufficient length to permit of a vertical rocking movement of the runners sufficient to permit the machine to adapt. itself to the inequalities of the ground. This journal-connection of the yoke with `the socketbearings fixed to the runner-frameserves to produce a hinge-joint connection of the front and rear frames, to permit of the independent vertical movements thereof required in a successful planting-machine.

At T is represented a seat-support, consisting of a beam of suitable dimensions, having its forward end fixed to the center of the yoke, from which point it extends rearward, inclinin g upward over the axle-tree, being supported thereon by means of a bracket, 10', and on its upper rear end is mounted a drivers seat, T', which is of the usual form.

At r is represented a two branch lever, formed to embrace the seat-support, to which it is centrally pivoted, having its upper end within easy reach of the driver when mounted in his seat. The'upper portion of this lever is connected to the rear extension of the pole by means of alink, r', of rod form, passing through a slot in the inclined beam prepared to receive it, and bent in such a manner as to beself-sustaining when in the position as represented in vFigi and in dotted lines at Fig.3, operating to hold the runnerfframe elevated,as represented in dotted lines, and when in the position of solid lines, as in Fig.3, will permit the runner-frame. to descend to its working position and limit its descent, as represented in the solid lines. The two branches of this lever at their lower ends are provided with a lateral arm, 1"', eX- tendingv from their lower ends outward, and are designed to receive the feet of the driver, to enable him to raise the runner-frame and change the position of the lever to bring the cross-barr at its upper end within easy reach.

At s is represented a beveled-toothed gearwheel mounted on the end of the transverse shaft H on theoutside of the seedbox.

At s is represented a tubular shaft having its forward end portion fitted with a spherical enlargement, s, forming a bearing to enter the socket-bearing, s", formed in the upper end of its bracket-standard in such a manner as to produce a iiexible ball-and-socket bearing.

At s4 is represented a beveled-toothed gearment therein.

wheel mounted on the tubular shaft in such relative position with the gear-wheel on the outer end ofthe transverse shaft that their gear-teeth will engage each other in working Contact.Y The free end of this tnhnlar shaltis produced itl saw-toothed clutch form.

At t is represented a shalt having its forward end supported to revolve in the tubular shaft, and capable ot' an end wise sliding movelhe rear end portion of this shaft is tted to revolve in a tnhnlar hearing, t', supported on the` outward-projectingend of the axle-arm of the carrying-frame. This shaft,

immediately forward of its rear end bearing,l is provided with a beveled-toothed gear-wheel, t, havingits teeth engage the teeth ot' a heveled-toothed gear-wheel, t", mounted on the outward-projecting hub of' the carrying-wheel. The rear end of the shaft t, projecting rearward of its bearing, is fitted with a collar, t4. which.

-in connection with the bev'ieletl-toothed gearwheel t, operates to prevent endwise movement in its tubular bearing t.

At u is represented a tubular saw-toothed clutch mounted upon the shaft t in such relative position with the saw-toothed clutch of the tubular shaft that their clutch-teeth shall engage each other when the machine isin workingposition. Thisrearportiomu,oftheclutch is slotted lengthwise on opposite sides, as at u', to receive a pin, u, passed through the shaft, and operates to cause the clutch to revolve with thc shaft, and to permit of a limited endwise movement of the clutch thereon.

At 10 is represented a spiral spring surrounding the shaft t', immediately in rear of lOO the clutch, operating to hold the clutch in its forward position on the shaft by its spring action, but in such a manner as to permit a rearward sliding action of the clutch against the action of the spring to prevent injury to the parts. v

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the machine is in working position the clutchteeth will en gage each other, and in th eforward movement of the machine a rotary motion will be imparted to the seed-wheels, causing them to revolve in the grain contained in the seed-boxes; and in their revolutions the cups will receive the IOS IIO

seed,and are designed'to contain but a single grain of corn, which, in the revolutions of the wheels, will be carried up and discharged from the cup through the opening cin the upper portion of the fixed disk, and will de scend through the spout b and through the tubular spout lwhen used as a drill, and when used as a check-row or hill planter the seed, a grain at a time, will be deposited on the checkvalve, from which it will he dropped onto the flipper-valve by the movement ol' the slide-bar, and in the next movement of the slide-har will be dropped from the liipper-valve through the open heel of the ruimer and deposited in hill form in the bottom of t-he furrow formed by the runner, and the outward movement of the machine will cause the carrying-wheels to IZO pass over the hill and close the furrow thereon, which completes the operation of planting-2.

drawings.

In this application I have neither described nor shown a seat on which to carry an attendant to operate the valves when the machine is used as a check row machine; but for this purpose any known form of seat capable of use on this machine maybe employed for the purpose.

l. rlhe herein-descrilwd seed-distributing wheels, having radial arms provided with opposite semi-seed-cups and capable of use on either side of the machine, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbei'ore set forth.

2. The herein -described seed-distributing wheels, having radial arms provided with opposite semi-seed cups, varying in size, the respective sizes of said cups being on the same side ofthe radial arms, and said wheels made in pairs and capable of use on opposite sides of the machine, 'for the purpose of distributing seed varying in size, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

3. The combination, with the fixed disk having the semicircular groove, of the herein-described seed distributing wheels, mounted loosely on the transverse shaft to revolve therewith, and a spring operating to hold the seeddistributing wheels in contact with the fixed disk, substantially as set forth.

4. The herein-described seed-distributing wheels, havin g semicircular projections extending from their face side, forming the bottom of the seed-cups, in combination with a fixed disk provided with a semicireular groove adapted to receive the semicircular projections, substantially as and for the purpose hereiubefore set forth.

5. The combination of the herein-described rotary seed-distributing wheels, having semicups, as described, with a fixed disk having a semicircular groove on its face, and its upper peripheral portion cut away opposite the seedeondueting spout Within the semicircular groove, substantially as set forth.

JAMES HERVA JONES.

Witnesses:

S. G. BRoNsoN, A. O. BEHEL. 

